Friends & Family

[Intro: Talib Kweli]
You are now witnessing the demise of the music business
I say demise of the music business cause people always gonna need music in they life
You know what I'm saying?
I can't do music with people I'm uncomfortable with
You know what I'm saying?
I can't be on stage with you pouring out my soul if I don't like you
So with that said, shout out to Strong Arm Steady
Shout out to Jean Grae
That's my Blacksmith family, you dig?

[Verse 1]
I just heard a song that reminded me of times when you was finding me
Rhyming in Greenwich Village circa 1993
Yeah, those was the salad days, my career's appetizer
The main course a casserole, a jambalaya
Of different influences that led me where the music is
A student is only as good as his teachers' tutelage
Paying for college, not learning was straight foolishness
So I stopped going to school but this was
Hard to tell my parents -- sat them down, tried to get through to them
Started flowing daily and traveled to different places
Freestyled with Clef and Forte in the Booga Basement
With Rubix and Juju on Flatbush, my hood amazing
Platinum Island recording with Duro and Just Blaze
And that was right next door to Rawkus -- what's up, Jarret and Brian Blackshaw?
And Matt Fingaz; Kendra Ross, you got the soul of a Stax singer
I love how you always bring it back, sister
You and Reesy making every record
I got classics with Hi-Tek and Mos Def that are so respected
Shout out to Corey Smyth, shout out to Dave Chapelle
I went on tour with The Roots, they played so well
Writing rhymes with Myka 9
Me and Pharoahe Monch were Soundbombing
Me and Lonnie Lynn got a lot in common
Mystik Journeymen introduced me to Top Ramen
On the bus, Kanye West would never stop rhyming
Ain't no mountain high enough for him, he never stopped climbing
That's why when the homies win, I never stop smiling
See I'm smiling right now

[Hook]
Nothing else matters more than friends and family
No doubt, that's how its gotta be
This is my odyssey, it's just the God in me
Friends and family, yup, they all a part of me
Cause I would die for them and they would die for me
Friends and family, that's right, and plus I love my fans
Love when you throw your hands up, it's like you all my fam
Friends and family, like you considered kin
Got me through thick and thin, thank you for listening
Nothing else matters more than friends and family

[Verse 2]
It started with a blast, now I'm a iconoclast
Promise to be honest in my craft and make the promise last
I do this for myself, but the song for you
Once I put it out for sale then it belong to you
This for Amani Fela plus Diani Eshe
Your daddy love his girl, your mother never far away
This is for Eque, this for Kierra Paul
We wanna ride like Ciara and we will never fall
HeadCquarterz and Guru is love forever y'all
Make it plain cause its too strong for a metaphor or simile
Your legacy will always be remembered for forever or
Til the end of time whichever come first
Big love to my mom and dad -- you could have done worse
Jamal and I the way we are cause you put your sons first
Many black parents lose they sons to the gun burst
Mommas drowning in they own tears til they lungs burst
Voice cracking like Michael Stipe cause everyone hurts

[Hook]
Nothing else matters more than friends and family
No doubt, that's how its gotta be
This is my odyssey, it's just the God in me
Friends and family, yup, they all a part of me
Cause I would die for them and they would die for me
Friends and family, that's right, and plus I love my fans
Love when you throw your hands up, it's like you all my fam
Friends and family, like you considered kin
Got me through thick and thin, thank you for listening
Nothing else matters more than friends and family

[Verse 3]
First record was with Mood back in '96
In fact, it was pretty fresh, Google that, find that shit
It sound good; I was showing you what timeless is
You couldn't catch what I was saying without rewinding it
Believe me, every fan is special
You hear me now but I got fans from Lyricist Lounge and "Manifesto"
So much wack rap, I know its hard to tell the difference
But when I heat it up I make the garbage smell
I'm resurrected but I'm no savior
I know the game, I can ball a little bit -- I'm an OK Player
Double meaning cause the flow is layered
We love to say it but its easier than it sound to ignore the haters
To snap back like the jaws of gators